Toy shopping is serious business. Toys that are too easy will bore your babe. Those that are too advanced will aggravate him. But pick one that's just right for his skill level, and you'll be giving him hours of education, exploration, and enjoyment "Toys are an investment in a child's development," says Marianne Szymanski, founder and president of Toy Tips, Inc. and co-author of Toy Tips: A Parent's Essential Guide to Smart Toy Choices. Ready to shop? We've compiled a list of age-appropriate toys -- as well as ones to avoid -- for each developmental level.

Chances are that whatever you give your little one to play with will end up in her mouth, so be careful of choking hazards. There's a quick test to know if a new toy is safe for your child. Follow these child safety tips to help keep your child safe with her toys.

Here at Parents, we get the year's new toys sent to us months before the holidays (lucky us!) and invite kids of all ages to come in and give them a whirl (lucky them!). See which toys came out on top!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at a big day of testing for our best toys of 2014. Our little critics played with everything from robots to hair chalk to see which new products are the most fun and exciting this year.